Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus and method of generating magnetic resonance image

ABSTRACT

An MRI apparatus includes an image processor configured to generate a scout image based on an MR signal that is obtained from an object; a display configured to display slices, which respectively correspond to portions of the object, on the scout image; and an input interface configured to receive a first user input selecting at least one slice among the slices displayed in the scout image. The first user input corresponds to a user command to change a displaying property of the at least one slice to be displayed distinguishably from non-selected slices in the scout image and the display displays the slices on the scout image so that the at least one slice is displayed differently from the non-selected slices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/824,519 filedAug. 12, 2015, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2014-0106233, filed Aug. 14, 2014, in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein intheir entireties by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate tomagnetic resonance imaging.

2. Description of the Related Art

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus captures an image of anobject by using a magnetic field and may provide a three-dimensional(3D) view of a disc, a joint, a nerve, a ligand, etc., as well as a boneat a desired angle. MRI systems may acquire two-dimensional (2D) imagesor three-dimensional (3D) volume images that are oriented toward anoptional point. Also, MRI systems may acquire images having high softtissue contrast, and may acquire neurological images, intravascularimages, musculoskeletal images, and oncologic images that are needed tocapture abnormal tissues.

An MR image is obtained by acquiring a sectional image of a region of anobject by expressing, in a contrast comparison, a strength of an MRsignal generated in a magnetic field having a specific strength. The MRsignal denotes an RF signal emitted from the object. For example, if anRF signal that only resonates a specific atomic nucleus (for example, ahydrogen atomic nucleus) is emitted toward the object placed in amagnetic field and then such emission stops, an MR signal is emittedfrom the specific atomic nucleus, and thus the MRI system may receivethe MR signal and acquire an MR image. An intensity of the MR signal maybe determined according to a density of a predetermined atom (forexample, hydrogen) of the object, a relaxation time T1, a relaxationtime T2, and a flow of blood or the like.

A user, for example, an operator or a radiologist, who uses the MRIapparatus may obtain the image by using the MRI apparatus.

Since the user of the MRI apparatus repeatedly manipulates the MRIapparatus, there is a need for the MRI apparatuses which are easy andconvenient to use.

SUMMARY

One or more exemplary embodiments include an MRI apparatus that may beeasily manipulated by an operator.

One or more exemplary embodiments include a method of generating an MRimage which may enable an operator to relatively easily plan an imagingprocedure.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an MRI apparatusincludes: an image processor that generates a real-time image and ascout image by using a magnetic resonance (MR) signal that is receivedfrom an object; a display that displays slices, which respectivelycorrespond to parts of the object, on the scout image; and an inputinterface that receives a first user input corresponding to at least oneof the real-time image and the scout image, wherein the image processorupdates the real-time image based on the first user input, and thedisplay displays the updated real-time image.

For example, the display may display the slices such that a slice thatis selected by the first user input is distinguished from non-selectedslices.

For example, the display may display the slices on the scout image suchthat at least one among the slices is distinguished from other slices.

For example, the first user input may be a user input for adjusting atleast one of positions, sizes, directions, and luminosities of theslices in the scout image.

For example, the scout image may include object images of a coil, a shimvolume, and a saturator, wherein the display performs display so that anobject image for a second user input is distinguished from other objectimages.

For example, the display may perform display by making a markcorresponding to an artifact on the scout image.

For example, when a specific absorption rate (SAR) or a peripheralnervous stimulus (PNS) that is measured when the real-time image isupdated exceeds a reference value, the display may perform display bymaking a mark corresponding to the exceeding of the reference value onthe scout image.

For example, the scout image may include a sagittal view image, acoronal view image, and an axial view image, wherein at least one of anarrangement and sizes of the sagittal view image, the coronal viewimage, and the axial view image is determined by the first user input.

For example, the scout image may include position information of a tablethat supports the object in the MRI apparatus.

For example, the image processor may adjust a brightness of a portion ofthe real-time image or the scout image to correspond to the first userinput.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, a method of generatingan MR image includes: generating a real-time image and a scout image byusing an MR signal that is received from an object; displaying slices,which respectively correspond to parts of the object, to correspond tothe scout image; receiving a first user input corresponding to at leastone of the real-time image and the scout image; updating the real-timeimage based on the first user input; and displaying the updatedreal-time image.

For example, the first user input may be an input for selecting at leastone among the slices that are displayed to correspond to the scoutimage.

For example, a slice that is selected by the first user input may bedisplayed to be distinguished from non-selected slices.

For example, the displaying of the slices, which respectively correspondto the parts of the object, to correspond to the scout image may includedisplaying the slices so that at least one of the slices isdistinguished from other slices.

For example, the displaying of the slices, which respectively correspondto the parts of the object, to correspond to the scout image may includedisplaying the slices so that at least one of lines for separating theslices is distinguished from other lines.

For example, a transparency, a color, and a shape of the at least one ofthe lines for separating the slices may be displayed to be differentfrom those of the other lines.

For example, the first user input may be a user input for adjusting atleast one of positions, sizes, directions, and luminosities of theslices in the scout image.

For example, the scout image may include object images of a coil, a shimvolume, and a saturator, wherein when a second user input for one of theobject images is received, the object image for the second user input isdisplayed to be distinguished from other object images.

For example, the second user input may be received through a shortcutkey that is preset.

For example, the updating of the real-time image may include: obtainingthe real-time image of a first slice; and displaying a portion of thescout image corresponding to the first slice to be distinguished fromportions of the scout image corresponding to other slices.

For example, the first slice may be selected by the first user input.

For example, the displaying of the updated real-time image may include,when an artifact is detected in the updated real-time image, displayingthe updated real-time image by making a mark corresponding to theartifact on the scout image.

For example, the displaying of the updated real-time image may include,when a specific absorption rate (SAR) or a peripheral nervous stimulus(PNS) that is measured when the real-time image is updated exceeds areference value, displaying the updated real-time image by making a markcorresponding to the exceeding of the reference value on the scoutimage.

For example, the scout image may include a sagittal view image, acoronal view image, and an axial view image, and at least one of anarrangement and sizes of the sagittal view image, the coronal viewimage, and the axial view image is determined by the first user input.

For example, the scout image may include position information of a tablethat supports the object in an MRI apparatus.

For example, the updating of the real-time image may include adjusting abrightness of a portion of the real-time image or the scout image tocorrespond to the first user input.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments, an MRI apparatusincludes: a display that displays a scout image including an image ofslices corresponding to physical locations in an object and a real-timeimage corresponding to one of the slices; an input interface thatreceives a first user input which is a selection input for the one ofthe slices displayed on the scout image; and an image processor thatupdates the real-time image based on the first user input, and controlthe display to display the updated real-time image of the one of theslices.

For example, the display may display the slices on the scout image suchthat the one of the slices that is selected by the first user input isdistinguished from non-selected slices.

For example, at least one of a position, a direction, a size, and aluminosity of the one of the slices in the scout image may be changed inresponse to receiving the first user input, and the image processor mayupdate the real-time image based on a change in at least one of theposition, the direction, the size, and the luminosity of the one of theslices.

For example, the scout image includes a sagittal view image, a coronalview image, and an axial view image which are displayed in a firstarrangement, the input interface may receive a second user input withrespect to the scout image, and the first arrangement may be changed bythe second user input so that the sagittal view image, the coronal viewimage, and the axial view image are displayed in a second arrangement inwhich at least one of a positon and a size of at least one of thesagittal view image, the coronal view image, and the axial view image ischanged as compared to the first arrangement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects will become more apparent by describingcertain exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an MRI system;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an MRI apparatus according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method performed by the MRI apparatus togenerate an MR image, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a real-time image and a scout imageaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method performed by the MRI apparatus togenerate an MR image, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a real-time image and scout imagesaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method performed by the MRI apparatus togenerate an MR image, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a scout image according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating scout images according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method performed by the MRI apparatus togenerate an MR image, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a real-time image and a scout imageaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method performed by the MRI apparatus togenerate an MR image, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views for explaining an operation of changing anarrangement of scout images, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of changing anarrangement of scout images, according to an exemplary embodiment; and

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views for explaining a method performed by aninput interface, according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Certain exemplary embodiments are described in greater detail below withreference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, like drawing reference numerals are usedfor like elements, even in different drawings. The matters defined inthe description, such as detailed construction and elements, areprovided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the exemplaryembodiments. However, it is apparent that the exemplary embodiments maybe practiced without those specifically defined matters. Also,well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail sincethey would obscure the description with unnecessary detail.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “atleast one of” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire listof elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

When a part “includes” or “comprises” an element, unless there is aparticular description contrary thereto, the part can further includeother elements, not excluding the other elements. Also, the term “unit”in the exemplary embodiments means a software component or hardwarecomponent such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or anapplication-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and performs a specificfunction. However, the term “unit” is not limited to software orhardware. The “unit” may be formed to be in an addressable storagemedium, or may be formed to operate one or more processors. Thus, forexample, the term “unit” may refer to components such as softwarecomponents, object-oriented software components, class components, andtask components, and may include processes, functions, attributes,procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware,micro codes, circuits, data, a database, data structures, tables,arrays, or variables. A function provided by the components and “units”may be associated with the smaller number of components and “units”, ormay be divided into additional components and “units”.

Throughout the specification, an “image” may denote multi-dimensionaldata composed of discrete image elements (for example, pixels in atwo-dimensional image and voxels in a three-dimensional image). Forexample, the image may be a medical image of an object captured by anX-ray apparatus, a computed tomography (CT) apparatus, an MRI apparatus,an ultrasound apparatus, or another medical imaging apparatus.

Furthermore, in the present specification, an “object” may be a human,an animal, or a part of a human or animal. For example, the object maybe an organ (e.g., the liver, the heart, the womb, the brain, a breast,or the abdomen), a blood vessel, or a combination thereof. Furthermore,the “object” may be a phantom. The phantom means a material having adensity, an effective atomic number, and a volume that are approximatelythe same as those of an organism. For example, the phantom may be aspherical phantom having properties similar to the human body.

Furthermore, in the present specification, a “user” may be, but is notlimited to, a medical expert, such as a medical doctor, a nurse, amedical laboratory technologist, a medical imaging expert, or atechnician who repairs a medical apparatus.

Furthermore, in the present specification, an MR image is an image of anobject obtained by using the nuclear magnetic resonance principle.

Furthermore, in the present specification, a “pulse sequence” refers tocontinuity of signals repeatedly applied by an MRI apparatus. The pulsesequence may include a time parameter of a radio frequency (RF) pulse,for example, repetition time (TR) or echo time (TE).

Furthermore, in the present specification, a “pulse sequence schematicdiagram” shows an order of events that occur in an MRI apparatus. Forexample, the pulse sequence schematic diagram may be a diagram showingan RF pulse, a gradient magnetic field, an MR signal, or the likeaccording to time.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an MRI apparatus 12. Referring to FIG. 1,the MRI apparatus may include a gantry 20, a signal transceiver 30, amonitor 40, a system controller 50, and an operating unit 60.

The gantry 20 includes a main magnet 22, a gradient coil 24, and an RFcoil 26. A magnetostatic field and a gradient magnetic field are formedin a bore in the gantry 20, and an RF signal is emitted toward an object10.

The main magnet 22, the gradient coil 24, and the RF coil 26 may bearranged in a predetermined direction of the gantry 20. Thepredetermined direction may be a coaxial cylinder direction. The object10 may be disposed on a table 28 that is capable of being inserted intoa cylinder along a horizontal axis of the bore.

The main magnet 22 generates a magnetostatic field for aligning magneticdipole moments of atomic nuclei of the object 10 in a constantdirection. An accurate MR image of the object 10 may be obtained due toa strong uniform magnetic field generated by the main magnet 22.

The gradient coil 24 includes X, Y, and Z coils for generating gradientsin X-, Y-, and Z-axis orthogonal directions. The gradient coil 24 mayprovide position information of each region of the object 10 bydifferently inducing resonant frequencies according to the regions ofthe object 10.

The RF coil 26 may emit an RF signal toward an object and receive an MRsignal emitted from the object. In detail, the RF coil 26 may transmit,toward atomic nuclei included in the object and having precessionalmotion, an RF signal having the same frequency as that of theprecessional motion, stop transmitting the RF signal, and then receivean MR signal emitted from the atomic nuclei included in the object.

For example, in order to transit an atomic nucleus from a low energystate to a high energy state, the RF coil 26 may generate and apply anelectromagnetic wave signal that is an RF signal corresponding to a typeof the atomic nucleus, to the object 10. When the electromagnetic wavesignal generated by the RF coil 26 is applied to the atomic nucleus, theatomic nucleus may transit from the low energy state to the high energystate. Then, when electromagnetic waves generated by the RF coil 26disappear, the atomic nucleus to which the electromagnetic waves wereapplied transits from the high energy state to the low energy state,thereby emitting electromagnetic waves having a Larmor frequency. Inother words, when the applying of the electromagnetic wave signal to theatomic nucleus is stopped, an energy level of the atomic nucleus ischanged from a high energy level to a low energy level, and thus theatomic nucleus may emit electromagnetic waves having a Larmor frequency.The RF coil 26 may receive electromagnetic wave signals from atomicnuclei included in the object 10.

The RF coil 26 may be a single RF transmit and receive coil having botha function of generating electromagnetic waves each having an RF thatcorresponds to a type of an atomic nucleus and a function of receivingelectromagnetic waves emitted from an atomic nucleus. Alternatively, theRF coil 26 may include a separate transmit RF coil having a function ofgenerating electromagnetic waves each having an RF that corresponds to atype of an atomic nucleus, and a separate receive RF coil having afunction of receiving electromagnetic waves emitted from an atomicnucleus.

The RF coil 26 may be fixed to the gantry 20 or may be detachable. Whenthe RF coil 26 is detachable, the RF coil 26 may include one or morecoils for a part of the object, such as a head coil, a chest coil, a legcoil, a neck coil, a shoulder coil, a wrist coil, an ankle coil, etc.

The RF coil 26 may communicate with an external apparatus via wiresand/or wireles sly, and may also perform dual tune communicationaccording to a communication frequency band.

The RF coil 26 may be an RF coil having various numbers of channels,such as 16 channels, 32 channels, 72 channels, and 144 channels.

The gantry 20 may include a display 29 disposed outside the gantry 20and a display (not shown) disposed inside the gantry 20. The gantry 20may provide predetermined information to the user or the object 10through the display 29 and/or the display disposed inside the gantry 20.

The signal transceiver 30 may control the gradient magnetic field formedinside the gantry 20, i.e., in the bore, according to a predetermined MRsequence, and control transmission and reception of an RF signal and anMR signal.

The signal transceiver 30 may include a gradient amplifier 32, atransmission and reception switch 34, an RF transmitter 36, and an RFreceiver 38.

The gradient amplifier 32 drives the gradient coil 24 included in thegantry 20, and may supply a pulse signal for generating a gradient tothe gradient coil 24 under the control of a gradient controller 54. Bycontrolling the pulse signal supplied from the gradient amplifier 32 tothe gradient coil 24, gradients in X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions may besynthesized.

The RF transmitter 36 and the RF receiver 38 may drive the RF coil 26.The RF transmitter 36 may supply an RF pulse in a Larmor frequency tothe RF coil 26, and the RF receiver 38 may receive an MR signal receivedby the RF coil 26.

The transmission and reception switch 34 may adjust transmitting andreceiving directions of the RF signal and the MR signal. For example,the transmission and reception switch 34 may emit the RF signal towardthe object 10 through the RF coil 26 during a transmission mode, andreceive the MR signal from the object 10 through the RF coil 26 during areception mode. The transmission and reception switch 34 may becontrolled by a control signal output by an RF controller 56.

The monitor 40 may monitor or control the gantry 20 or devices mountedon the gantry 20. The monitor 40 may include a system monitor 42, anobject monitor 44, a table controller 46, and a display controller 48.

The system monitor 42 may monitor and control a state of themagnetostatic field, a state of the gradient magnetic field, a state ofthe RF signal, a state of the RF coil 26, a state of the table 28, astate of a device measuring body information of the object 10, a powersupply state, a state of a thermal exchanger, and a state of acompressor.

The object monitor 44 monitors a state of the object 10. In detail, theobject monitor 44 may include a camera for observing a movement orposition of the object 10, a respiration measurer for measuring therespiration of the object 10, an electrocardiogram (ECG) measurer formeasuring the cardiac activity of the object 10, or a temperaturemeasurer for measuring a temperature of the object 10.

The table controller 46 controls a movement of the table 28 where theobject 10 is positioned. The table controller 46 may control themovement of the table 28 according to a sequence control of a sequencecontroller 52. For example, during moving imaging of the object 10, thetable controller 46 may continuously or discontinuously move the table28 according to the sequence control of the sequence controller 52, andthus the object 10 may be imaged in a field of view (FOV) larger thanthat of the gantry 20.

The display controller 48 controls the display 29 disposed outside thegantry 20 and the display disposed inside the gantry 20 to be on or off,and may control a screen image to be output on the display 29 and thedisplay disposed inside the gantry 20. Also, when a speaker is locatedinside or outside the gantry 20, the display controller 48 may controlthe speaker to be on or off, or may control sound to be output via thespeaker.

The system controller 50 may include the sequence controller 52 forcontrolling a sequence of signals transmitted to the gantry 20, and agantry controller 58 for controlling the gantry 20 and the devicesmounted on the gantry 20.

The sequence controller 52 may include the gradient controller 54 forcontrolling the gradient amplifier 32, and the RF controller 56 forcontrolling the RF transmitter 36, the RF receiver 38, and thetransmission and reception switch 34. The sequence controller 52 maycontrol the gradient amplifier 32, the RF transmitter 36, the RFreceiver 38, and the transmission and reception switch 34 according to apulse sequence received from the operating unit 60. The pulse sequencemay include information to control the gradient amplifier 32, the RFtransmitter 36, the RF receiver 38, and the transmission and receptionswitch 34. For example, the pulse sequence may include information abouta strength, an application time, and application timing of a pulsesignal applied to the gradient coil 24.

The operating unit 60 may request the system controller 50 to transmitpulse sequence information while controlling an overall operation of theMRI apparatus.

The operating unit 60 may include an image processor 62 for receivingand processing the MR signal received by the RF receiver 38, an outputunit 64, and an input unit 66.

The image processor 62 may process the MR signal received from the RFreceiver 38 to generate MR image data of the object 10.

The image processor 62 receives the MR signal received by the RFreceiver 38 and performs any one of various signal processes, such asamplification, frequency transformation, phase detection, low frequencyamplification, and filtering, on the received MR signal.

The image processor 62 may arrange digital data in a k space of amemory, and rearrange the digital data into image data via 2D or 3DFourier transformation.

The image processor 62 may perform a composition process or a differencecalculation process on the image data. The composition process mayinclude an addition process on a pixel or a maximum intensity projection(MIP) process. The image processor 62 may store the rearranged imagedata and the image data on which a composition process or a differencecalculation process is performed, in a memory (not shown) or an externalserver.

The image processor 62 may perform any of the signal processing on theMR signal in parallel. For example, the image processor 62 may perform asignal processing on a plurality of MR signals received by amulti-channel RF coil in parallel to rearrange the plurality of MRsignals into image data.

The output unit 64 may output image data generated or rearranged by theimage processor 62 to the user. The output unit 64 may also outputinformation required for the user to manipulate the MRI apparatus, suchas a user interface (UI), user information, or object information. Theoutput unit 64 may include at least one of a speaker, a printer, acathode-ray tube (CRT) display, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasmadisplay panel (PDP) display, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED)display, a field emission display (FED), a light-emitting diode (LED)display, a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), a digital light processing(DLP) display, a flat panel display (FPD), a 3D display, a transparentdisplay, or any one of other various output devices that are known toone of ordinary skill in the art.

The user may input object information, parameter information, a scancondition, a pulse sequence, or information about image composition ordifference calculation by using the input unit 66. The input unit 66 mayinclude at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, a track ball, a voicerecognizer, a gesture recognizer, a touch screen, or any one of othervarious input devices that are known to one of ordinary skill in theart.

Although the signal transceiver 30, the monitor 40, the systemcontroller 50, and the operating unit 60 are shown as separatecomponents in FIG. 1, this is not limiting and respective functions ofat least one of the signal transceiver 30, the monitor 40, the systemcontroller 50, and the operating unit 60 may be performed by oneintegrated component. For example, the image processor 62 may convertthe MR signal received from the RF receiver 38 into a digital signal inFIG. 1, but alternatively, the conversion of the MR signal into thedigital signal may be performed by the RF receiver 38 or the RF coil 26.

The gantry 20, the RF coil 26, the signal transceiver 30, the monitor40, the system controller 50, and the operating unit 60 may be connectedto each other by wire or wirelessly, and when they are connectedwirelessly, the MRI apparatus may further include an apparatus (notshown) for synchronizing clock signals therebetween. Communicationbetween the gantry 20, the RF coil 26, the signal transceiver 30, themonitor 40, the system controller 50, and the operating unit 60 may beperformed by using a high-speed digital interface, such as low voltagedifferential signaling (LVDS), asynchronous serial communication, suchas a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART), a low-delaynetwork protocol, such as error synchronous serial communication or acontroller area network (CAN), optical communication, or any of othervarious communication methods that are known to one of ordinary skill inthe art.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an MRI apparatus 100 according toan exemplary embodiment, FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method performed bythe MRI apparatus 100 to generate an MR image, according to an exemplaryembodiment, and FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the real-time image 241and the scout image 242 according to an exemplary embodiment.

The MRI apparatus 100 may include an input interface 110, a display 120,and an image processor 130.

The input interface 110, the display 120, and the image processor 130may respectively correspond to the input unit 66, the output unit 64,and the image processor 62 of FIG. 1 and, thus, the described above isapplicable here.

The image processor 130 may generate an MR image of an object byprocessing an MR signal that is received from the object.

The image processor 130 according to an exemplary embodiment maygenerate at least one of a real-time image and a scout image by usingthe MR signal that is received from the object. For example, thereal-time image may refer to an MR image that is generated when the MRsignal is simultaneously received and processed, e.g., a real-time image241 of FIG. 4. The real-time image 241 may refer to an MR image that isgenerated without delay when the MRI apparatus 100 receives an MRsignal.

An operator may see the real-time image 241 and may determine whetherthe real-time image 241 is an image for the current MR signal. Thereal-time image may be referred to as a live image, a real-time view, ora live view.

For example, the scout image may refer to an image for planning animaging procedure of the object, e.g., a scout image 242 of FIG. 4.Also, the scout image may refer to an image for causing the object tocorrespond to each slice for the imaging procedure.

For example, the scout image may be generated by using a part of thereceived MR signal. The scout image may be referred to as an exam image,an exam view, a planning image, or a planning view.

The image processor 130 may update the real-time image based on a userinput. The image processor 130 may receive the user input through theinput interface 110 and may update the real-time image by using any ofvarious methods. The user input may refer to a user input for adjustingat least one of positions, sizes, directions, and luminosities of slicesthat are included in the scout image.

The image processor 130 may adjust a brightness of a portion of thereal-time image or the scout image to correspond to the user input.

The display 120 may display, to a user, image data that is generated orreconstructed by the image processor 130. Also, the display 120 maydisplay a graphical user interface (GUI), and may display informationsuch as user information or object information in order for the user tomanipulate an MRI apparatus. The display 120 may include one or moredisplays described above with reference to FIG. 1.

The display 120 according to an exemplary embodiment may display atleast one of the scout image and the real-time image.

The display 120 according to an exemplary embodiment may display, on thescout image, slices that respectively correspond to parts of the object.The display 120 may display the real-time image that is updated by theimage processor 130 based on the user input.

The display 120 according to an exemplary embodiment may perform displayso that a slice that is selected by the user input is distinguished fromnon-selected slices.

The display 120 according to an exemplary embodiment may perform displayon the scout image so that at least one of the slices is distinguishedfrom other slices.

The display 120 according to an exemplary embodiment may perform displayby making a mark corresponding to an artifact on the scout image.

When a specific absorption rate (SAR) or a peripheral nervous stimulus(PNS) that is measured when the real-time image is updated exceeds areference value, the display 120 according to an exemplary embodimentmay perform display by making a mark corresponding to the exceeding ofthe reference value.

The input interface 110 may receive the user input by using any ofvarious methods from the user.

For example, the input interface 110 may include a unit used by the userto input data to control the MRI apparatus 100. For example, the inputinterface 110 may include at least one of a keypad, a dome switch, atouchpad (e.g., a capacitive overlay touchpad, a resistive overlaytouchpad, an infrared touchpad, a surface acoustic wave touchpad, anintegral strain gauge touchpad, or a piezoelectric touchpad), a jogwheel, or a jog switch. Also, the input interface may include a touchscreen, a touch panel, a microphone, or a keyboard.

Also, the input interface 110 may include at least one module forreceiving data from the user. For example, the input interface 110 mayinclude a motion recognition module, a touch recognition module, and/ora voice recognition module.

The touch recognition module may detect the user's touch gesture on atouch screen and may transmit information about the touch gesture to aprocessor. The voice recognition module may recognize the user's voiceby using a voice recognition engine and may transmit the recognizedvoice to the processor. The motion recognition module may recognize amotion of the object to be input and may transmit information about themotion of the object to the processor.

An input of the user through the input interface 110 of the MRIapparatus 100 may include at least one of a touch input, a bendinginput, a voice input, a key input, and a multimodal input.

The input interface 110 according to an exemplary embodiment may receivethe user input corresponding to the real-time image and the scout image.

For example, the input interface 110 may receive a command to select aslice which the user inputs through a touch input. For example, theinput interface 110 may receive a command to select a line of a slicewhich the user inputs through a click input on the scout image.

For example, the input interface 110 may receive an input for a positionor a size of a slice which the user input through a drag and drop inputon the scout image.

For example, the input interface 110 may receive a command, which theuser inputs through a touch input or a selection input, to select a lineamong a plurality of lines that are displayed on the scout image.

The input interface 110 may receive a selection input or a positionchange input for the coil, the shim volume, and the saturator that aredisplayed on the scout image, as described below in detail withreference to FIG. 8.

Referring to FIG. 3, in operation S110, the image processor 130 maygenerate a real-time image and a scout image by using an MR signal thatis received from an object. The real-time image may refer to an MR imagethat is generated without delay when the MRI apparatus 100 receives theMR signal. An operator may see the real-time image and may determinewhether the real-time image is an image for the current MR signal.

The scout image may refer to an image for planning an imaging procedureof the object. The scout image may be a screen obtained by temporarilycapturing the real-time image in order to plan the imaging procedure ofthe object.

In operation S130, the display 120 may display slices that respectivelycorrespond to parts of the object to correspond to the scout image. Thedisplay 120 may simultaneously display an image of the object and animage of the slices in the scout image 242 of FIG. 4. The display 120may display the image of the slices on the image of the object so that auser may edit the slices corresponding to the object by using any ofvarious input units.

In operation S150, the input interface 110 may receive a user inputcorresponding to the real-time image and the scout image.

For example, the input interface 110 may be a touch screen. The inputinterface 110 may provide an image of slices 243 so that the operatormay select any of the slices 243. When the input interface 110 receivesan input by which the user touches any of the slices 243, the display120 may display the real-time image of the slice 243.

When the input interface 110 receives an input by which the user clicksany of the slices 243, the display 120 may differently display an imageof the slice 243 on a portion of the real-time image.

In operation S170, the image processor 130 may update the real-timeimage based on the user input.

The image processor 130 may update the real-time image to correspond toan input made by the user through the input interface 110. For example,when the input interface 110 receives an input by which the user changesa size of any of the slices 243, the image processor 130 may update thereal-time image to correspond to the changed size of the slice 243.

In operation S190, the display 120 may display the updated real-timeimage.

The display 120 may display the real-time image that is updatedaccording the user input received by the image processor 130.

For example, the display 120 may perform display by making a mark on anupdated portion so that the updated portion is distinguished fromnon-updated portions. For example, the display 120 may displayadditional information (for example, slice information) of the updatedportion along with the real-time image

For example, the display 120 may perform display so that an image thatis previously output and an image that is currently output aredistinguished from each other. For example, the display 120 may performdisplay so that slice information of the image that is previously outputand slice information of the image that is currently output aredistinguished from each other. For example, the display 120 may performdisplay on the scout image so that a slice corresponding to the updatedportion in the real-time image is distinguished from other slices.

For example, the display 120 may perform display on the scout image towhich part of the object the real-time image corresponds. For example,the display 120 may display a part of the object, which is displayed onthe real-time image, on the scout image. For example, the display 120may display a portion corresponding to a part of the object, which isdisplayed on the real-time image, on a slice that is included in thescout image.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a method performed by the MRI apparatus 100 togenerate an MR image, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Operations S210, S230, S270, and S290 of FIG. 5 are respectively thesame as operations S110, S130, S170, and S190 of FIG. 3, and thus arepeated explanation thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in operation S210, the image processor 130may generate the real-time image 241 and the scout image 242 by using anMR signal that is received from an object. In operation S230, thedisplay 120 may display the slices 243 that respectively correspond toparts of the object to correspond to the scout image 242.

In operation S252, the input interface 110 may receive an input by whichat least one of the slices 243 that are displayed to correspond to thereal-time image and the scout image is selected.

The input interface 110 may provide an image of the slices 243 so thatan operator may select the at least one slice 243. When the inputinterface 110 receives an input by which a user touches a slice, thedisplay 120 may display the real-time image of the slice.

The input interface 110 may provide the real-time image 241 or the scoutimage 242 so that the operator may select the at least one slice 243.When the input interface 110 receives an input by which the user locksthe slice 243, the display 120 may differently display an image of theslice 243 on a portion of the real-time image.

In operation S270, the image processor 130 may update the real-timeimage 241 based on a user input. In operation S290, the display 120 maydisplay the updated real-time image.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a real-time image 355 and scout imagesaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

The scout images may respectively include a sagittal view image 351, acoronal view image 352, and an axial view image 353. For example, thesagittal view image 351 may include a plurality of slices 354 of anobject. For example, when a user selects a slice, the selected slice maybe displayed so that at least one of a transparency, a color, and ashape of the selected slice are different from those of other slices.For example, the selected slice may be indicated by a dashed line asshown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method performed by the MRI apparatus 100 togenerate an MR image, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Operations S310, S350, S370, and S390 of FIG. 7 are respectively thesame as operations S110, S150, S170, and S190 of FIG. 6, and thus arepeated explanation thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in operation S310, the image processor 130may generate the real-time image 355 and the scout images (i.e., thesagittal view image 351, the coronal view image 352, and the axial viewimage 353) by using an MR signal that is received from an object.

In operation S333, the display 120 may perform display on the scoutimage so that at least one of slices is distinguished from other slices.For example, as shown in the sagittal view image 351 of FIG. 3, thedisplay 120 may perform display so that at least one of the slices 354is distinguished from other slices. For example, the display 120 maydisplay a first slice with a dashed line, as shown in the sagittal viewimage 351 of FIG. 6. For example, the display 120 may perform display sothat the first slice has a transparency that is different from those ofother slices.

For example, the display 120 may display the first slice in a red colorand a second slice in a yellow color, but this is not limiting. Forexample, the display 120 may display the first slice with a dashed lineand the second slice with a solid line.

For example, the display 120 may display the first slice with arelatively thick line and the second slice with a relatively thin line.For example, when two or more slices are selected, the display 120 maydifferently display the two or more slices according to an order inwhich the two or more slices are selected.

In operations S350, S370, and S390, the input interface 110 may receivea user input corresponding to the real-time image 355 and the scoutimages and may update the real-time image 355 based on the user input,and the display 120 may display the updated real-time image.

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a scout image 460 according to anexemplary embodiment.

The scout image 460 may include coil images 461 and 464. An operator maydetect a relative position of a coil with respect to an object by usingthe coil images 461 and 464 that are included in the scout image 460.

The scout image 460 may include a saturator image 462. The operator maymore obtain an image of the object with a better quality by controllingthe display without the saturator image 462 that is unrelated to theobject, i.e., by controlling to exclude the saturator from the image.However, this is only an example, and the operator may control thedisplay to selectively exclude a display of any of a coil, a shimvolume, and a saturator.

The scout image 460 may include a slice image 463. In addition, thescout image 460 may include a shim volume image. A user may more easilyplan an imaging procedure by using at least one object image of at leastone of a coil, a shim volume, a slice, and a saturator.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating scout images according to an exemplaryembodiment.

The scout images may include a sagittal view image 471, a coronal viewimage 472, and an axial view image 473. The sagittal view image 471, thecoronal view image 472, and the axial view image 473 may respectivelyinclude object images of a coil, a shim volume, a slice, and asaturator. An operator may plan an imaging procedure by manipulating theobject images. For example, the operator may set the saturator and mayset an area that is not included in a real-time image. The operator mayset the shim volume by using a touch or a click and may set a size, ashape, and a type of the shim volume by using any of various methods.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method performed by the MRI apparatus 100 togenerate an MR image, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Operations S410, S470, and S490 of FIG. 10 are respectively the same asoperations S110, S170, and S190 of FIG. 3, and thus a repeatedexplanation thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 8 through 10, in operation S410, the image processor130 may generate a real-time image and the scout image 460 by using anMR signal that is received from an object.

In operation S435, the display 120 may display an object image of atleast one of a coil, a shim volume, and a saturator. The display 120 maydisplay various object images by using the scout image 460.

For example, the scout image 460 may include the coil images 461 and464. An operator may detect a relative position of a coil with respectto the object by using the coil images 461 and 464 that are included inthe scout image 460.

For example, the scout image 460 may include the saturator image 462.The operator may more clearly obtain an image of the object byperforming display without the saturator image 462 that is unrelated tothe object.

For example, the scout image 460 may include the slice image 463. Inaddition, the scout image 460 may include a shim volume image. Theoperator may more easily plan an imaging procedure by using objectimages of the coil, the shim volume, a slice, and the saturator.

In operation S455, the input interface 110 may receive a user inputcorresponding to each object image.

For example, the operator may change a size, a position, a displaymethod, and a type of each object image by using the input interface110. For example, the operator may change a size of the saturator byusing the input interface 110.

In operations S470 and S490, the image processor 130 may update thereal-time image based on the user input, and the display 120 may displaythe updated real-time image. For example, the display 120 may receive aninput by which a size and a shape of the saturator are changed and maydisplay the real-time image that is updated based on the input.

FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a real-time image 671 and a scout image672 according to an exemplary embodiment.

For example, when noise is included in an MR signal due to any ofvarious artifacts, the display 120 of the MRI apparatus 100 may displayan unclear image, e.g., as shown on the real-time image 671. The display120 may perform display so that a slice 673 in which noise is includedis distinguished from other slices. The display 120 may perform displayon the scout image 672 so that at least one of a transparency, a color,and a thickness of the slice 673 in which noise is included isdistinguished from those of the slices 675 in which noise is notincluded.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a method performed by the MRI apparatus 100 togenerate an MR image, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Operations S610, S630, and S690 of FIG. 12 are respectively the same asoperations S110, S130, and S190 of FIG. 3, and thus a repeatedexplanation thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, in operation S610, the image processor 130may generate the real-time image 671 and the scout image 672 by using anMR signal that is received from an object. In operation S630, thedisplay 120 may display the slices 673 that respectively correspond toparts of the object to correspond to the scout image 672.

In operation S657, the image processor 130 may determine whether anartifact is detected in the real-time image 671. When it is determinedin operation S657 that an artifact is detected in the real-time image671, the image processor 130 may update the real-time image 671.

In operation S677, the image processor 130 may update the scout image672 so that a slice in which a user artifact is detected is displayed tobe distinguished from other slices. In operation S690, the display 120may display the updated real-time image.

In another exemplary embodiment, when an SAR or a PNS that is measuredwhen the real-time image 671 is generated or updated exceeds a referencevalue, the image processor 130 may update the scout image 672 by makinga mark corresponding to the exceeding of the reference value on thescout image 672.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views for explaining an operation of changing anarrangement of scout images, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG.14 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of changing an arrangementof scout images, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 13A through 14, in operation S710, the imageprocessor 130 may generate scout images 781, 782, and 783 by using an MRsignal that is received from an object. In operation S738, the display120 may display the scout images 781, 782, and 783.

In operation S758, the input interface 110 may receive a user input forchanging a layout of the scout images 781, 782, and 783. The inputinterface 110 may receive an input by using any of various methods. Forexample, an operator may re-arrange the scout images 781, 782, and 783by using a drag and drop method. For example, the operator may inputsizes and positions of the scout images 781, 782, and 783. For example,the operator may select one layout among layouts suggested by the MRIapparatus 100 and may re-arrange the scout images 781, 782, and 783.

In operation S778, the image processor 130 may update the scout images781, 782, and 783 according to the layout that is changed based on theuser input.

For example, the image processor 130 may update the scout images 781,782, and 783 and may arrange scout images 784, 785, and 786 to have alayout shown in FIG. 13B.

In operation S798, the display 120 may display the updated scout images784, 785, and 786.

For example, the display 120 may display the scout images 784, 785, and786 having the layout that are updated to correspond to the user input.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are views for explaining a method performed by theinput interface 110 to receive position information of a table in orderto adjust a position of an object, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15A, the input interface 110 may receive positioninformation of a table that supports the object. The MRI apparatus 100may adjust the position of the table in order to adjust a point ofinterest of an operator. The input interface 110 may be a GUI 891 asshown in FIG. 15A.

For example, the display 120 may display current position information ofthe table, and the input interface 110 may receive the correctedposition information of the table. The position information of the tablemay be expressed by using a distance between a reference point (e.g., anedge portion of the table) and a measurement point (e.g., an imagingpoint). For example, the position information of the table may beexpressed by using plane coordinates or spatial coordinates. Theoperator may correct the position of the table by using the GUI 891.

Referring to FIG. 15B, the display 120 may display position informationof the table in a scout image. The display 120 may display the positioninformation of the table by using, for example, a popup window 892, on aportion of the scout image.

The above-described exemplary embodiments may be implemented as anexecutable program, and may be executed by a computer by using acomputer-readable recording medium.

Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magneticstorage media (e.g., ROM, floppy disks, hard disks, etc.), opticalrecording media (e.g., CD-ROMs or DVDs), etc.

The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplaryand are not to be construed as limiting. The present teaching may bereadily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description ofthe exemplary embodiments is intended to be illustrative, and not tolimit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, andvariations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatuscomprising: an image processor configured to generate a scout imagebased on an MR signal that is obtained from an object; a displayconfigured to display slices, which respectively correspond to portionsof the object, on the scout image; and an input interface configured toreceive a first user input selecting at least one slice among the slicesdisplayed in the scout image, the first user input corresponding to auser command to change a displaying property of the at least one sliceto be displayed distinguishably from non-selected slices in the scoutimage, wherein the display is further configured to display the sliceson the scout image so that the at least one slice is displayeddifferently from the non-selected slices.
 2. The MRI apparatus of claim1, wherein the first user input is the user command for adjusting atleast one among a position, a size, a direction, and a luminosity of theat least one slice in the scout image.
 3. The MRI apparatus of claim 1,wherein the scout image comprises extraneous images of a coil, a shimvolume, and a saturator, the input interface is further configured toreceive a second user input for at least one of the extraneous images,and the display is further configured to perform a display so that theat least one of the extraneous images, which is selected by the seconduser input, is distinguished from other extraneous images.
 4. The MRIapparatus of claim 1, wherein the display is further configured todisplay, on the scout image, a mark corresponding to an artifact.
 5. TheMRI apparatus of claim 1, wherein a value of a specific absorption rate(SAR) or a peripheral nervous stimulus (PNS) is measured, and inresponse to the value exceeding a reference value, the display isfurther configured to display a mark corresponding to exceeding of thereference value, on the scout image.
 6. The MRI apparatus of claim 1,wherein the input interface is further configured to receive a seconduser input corresponding to the scout image, the scout image comprises asagittal view image, a coronal view image, and an axial view image, andat least one of an arrangement of the sagittal view image, the coronalview image, and the axial view image or a size of at least one among thesagittal view image, the coronal view image, and the axial view image ischanged by the second user input.
 7. The MRI apparatus of claim 1,wherein the display is further configured to display, on the scoutimage, position information of a table that supports the object in theMRI apparatus.
 8. The MRI apparatus of claim 1, wherein the imageprocessor is further configured to adjust a brightness of the at leastone slice of the scout image, based on the first user input, and thedisplay is further configured to display the slices on the scout imageso that the at least one slice is displayed with the brightness which isdifferent from the brightness of the non-selected slices.
 9. A method ofgenerating a magnetic resonance (MR) image by a magnetic resonanceimaging (MRI) apparatus, the method comprising: generating a scout imagebased on an MR signal that is obtained from an object; displayingslices, which respectively correspond to portions of the object, on thescout image; receiving a first user input selecting at least one sliceamong the slices displayed in the scout image, the first user inputcorresponding to a user command to change a displaying property of theat least one slice to be displayed distinguishably from non-selectedslices in the scout image; displaying the slices on the scout image sothat the at least one slice is displayed differently from thenon-selected slices.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the displayingthe slices on the scout image comprises: displaying lines which separatethe slices from one another; and displaying the slices so that at leastone of the lines is distinguished from other lines.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein at least one among a transparency, a color, and ashape of the at least one of the lines is displayed to be different fromthat of the other lines.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the firstuser input is the user command for adjusting at least one among aposition, a size, a direction, and a luminosity of the at least oneslice on the scout image.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the scoutimage comprises extraneous images of a coil, a shim volume, and asaturator, and at least one of the extraneous images is displayed to bedistinguished from other extraneous images, in response to receiving asecond user input selecting the at least one of the extraneous images.14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second user input is receivedthrough a shortcut key that is preset.
 15. The method of claim 9,further comprising: receiving a second user input being a selectioninput of another slice among the slices; and displaying a portion of thescout image corresponding to the another slice to be distinguished fromportions of the scout image corresponding to other slices.
 16. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the scout image comprises a sagittal viewimage, a coronal view image, and an axial view image, and the methodfurther comprises: receiving a second user input, and changing at leastone of an arrangement of the sagittal view image, the coronal viewimage, and the axial view image or a size of at least one among thesagittal view image, the coronal view image, and the axial view image.17. The method of claim 9, further comprising: displaying, on the scoutimage, position information of a table that supports the object in theMRI apparatus.